“What attracted us was the seclusion,” says the owner of Roncalli, after the electric gate has swept open, the dogs have been sent to play out in the walled rear garden, and we’re in the kitchen contemplating coffee.
“Once you close the gates you have total privacy.” He’s right – off Cornelscourt Hill Road, Claremont Pines arcs round in a cul-de-sac, and the further in, the quieter it gets. Roncalli, which was built in 1978, is right at the far end.
The houses are all different, so there is none of the uniformity you get in some developments, though there are also plenty of electric gates, so most of it is pretty private.
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Czech ambassador
It is obviously a good area – the Czech ambassador's residence is further up the road. You are also within walking distance of the Luas, handy for golf and tennis clubs, and horse riding and polocrosse at Carrickmines Equestrian Centre is just on the other side of the M50.
There is a large parking area to the front, and inside is a very generous hallway, a family kitchen with a Stanley range, kitchen island and breakfast area.
Off this is a sun lounge. A spacious study/TV room and a massive living room that runs the length of the house completes the ground floor.
The previous occupant, novelist and songwriter, Brendan Graham had a huge grand piano at one end. Graham wrote the lyrics for two of Ireland's Eurovision winners – Rock 'n' Roll Kids and The Voice, as well as Westlife's You Raise Me Up. "We swapped it for a snooker table when we came," the owner tells me. "Much easier to play."
“We’re a small family for one of these houses,” he continues. Roncalli is 308sq m (3,325sq ft), and the couple have two children.
“The bedrooms are big enough for the kids to have desks, so they could study in their own rooms, the house makes room for everyone.” They’re now selling to move somewhere just a little smaller.
There are four bedrooms, all leading off a large landing area, but a former fifth has been converted into a super dressing room off the master bedroom, and would make a great nursery if that is what you need. Two of the bedrooms are en suite.
Rambling feel
Downstairs marble tiled flooring turns into hardwood oak in the livingroom, and the house has a long, low rambling feel even though the ceilings are pretty high. This is partly because the rooms are huge.
Roncalli, which is for sale by private treaty with Sherry FitzGerald for €1.35 million has all the scope and flexibility you could need for a growing family, yes, and plenty of privacy too. It is on open view this Saturday from noon to 1pm.
